The planned line is part of a growing push to connect Louisiana to shale oil and natural gas production in other, largely rural parts of the country. Currently, much of that production is being transported to refineries via rail tankers, a costly and at times dangerous option.

Industry experts predict a surge in investors pushing to buy out south Louisiana oilfield service companies and their technology as more seek to cash in on years of ramped up energy exploration anticipated both offshore and onshore.

The deal, which will bring ownership of 35 acres of industrial property along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway under a new LEEVAC subsidiary, another sign of the heating merger and acquisition market for south Louisiana oilfield services firms and related industries.

Industry experts predict a surge in investors pushing to buy out south Louisiana oilfield service companies and their technology for purchase as more seek to capitalize on ramped up activity in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico.

IberiaBank Corp. will close its only branch in the Houma-Thibodaux area in August as it focuses on markets where it has a stronger presence, though bank officials say it will remain a key market for its commercial lending business.

By Deon Roberts, Online Editor Three of 155 Circuit City stores to close nationwide are in the New Orleans metro area, the company said today. Circuit City is closing about 20 percent of its U.S. stores in a move to ...